Tanzania VS Ivory Coast: Talking Points

1.  Kiemba’s composure  is a joy to watch
Amri Kiemba has been around for years in Tanzanian football scene. Yet it is only recently that he is gaining the recognition he deserves. Having played for both Simba and Yanga one would expect recognition and appreciation for his talent would come easily. It has not been easy for the shy midfielder. He had a nightmare of a season at Yanga a few years ago. He was eventually axed, he went to Kagera Sugar before Simba came calling for his signature. He had a slow start at Simba but eventually clicked after the death of Papa Mutesa Mafisango. Mafisango was a darling of  Msimbazi faithfuls but Kiemba explosive form helped Simba to comfortably move on.
 He may not have the workrate of a typical attacking midfielder but his calmness and composure has been a revelation to many who have watched Taifa Stars. He has rarely misplaced a pass, only those  blessed with an extraordinary memory can recall the last time Kiemba was disposed off the ball. He takes his time, agonizingly slow at times but he always delivers the final ball. He has scored two so far, one against Morocco, a goal that will always be a joy to watch on Youtube for years to come, and the other one against Ivory Coast.

 

2. Nyoni throw-ins are much better than Rory Delap
Erasto  Nyoni,famously remembered for his winning goal against Burkina Fasso in Ouagadougou had a good game despite the Gervinho shove that gifted the Ivorians a penalty. He was excellent particularly in the second half constantly overlapping. He completely neutralized Kalou who had to be substituted in the second period. Taifa Stars threats came from the right flank where he linked well with the bullish Thomas Ulimwengu to cause constant havoc in Ivorian defense.
 His crosses were carefully weighed resulting into numerous corners. His throw-ins regardless of the distance all landed on the Ivorian penalty box. Perfect throw ins. A mixture of his throw-ins and crosses almost reduced the second half to a corner kicks affair as Ivorian defenders awkwardly cleared them.

 

3.   Thomas Ulimwengu has grown in confidence
Whatever food ulimwengu eats ought to be recommended to all our strikers.  His big frame and square face always reminds me of a buffalo. Seeing him charging past defenders, one would be easily forgiven for thinking that is the closest moment a football defender would come across a charging buffalo.
He often makes sure defenders learn the hard way about his physicality. He brushed aside Moroccans defenders as if there were merely insects. In numerous occasion he gave Ivorian defenders food for thought as he dribbled directly towards the box. His goal was a rare combination of a poacher’s instinct,great anticipation and some fine acrobatics.

 

4.    Kim got it right in the midfield
Kim Poulsen  bold decision to drop one midfielder in the Morocco’s match did not pay off. In that defeat, Tanzania midfield was simply trampled over by Morocco hence constantly exposing the defence. There was no balance between the midfield and defence. On Sunday, he reverted to his usual tactics of deploying Domayo, Salum Abubakar, Kazimoto and Amri Kiemba. Despite the weakness shown in the first half, the combination clicked.
The midfield managed to restrict Ivory Coast to employing counter attacks and utilizing the flanks as Kapombe and Nyoni,the fullbacks, pushed forward. Despite getting a brace and an assist, Yaya Toure hardly ran the show on Sunday.  He  used his vast experience  to exploit our inexperienced defenders to a devastating effect without actually running the show.

 

5.   Ngassa is still a key player but he was hardly missed
Mrisho Ngassa is still a key player for Taifa Stars but he was hardly missed on Sunday. He has been our dependable player the past four or five years. Since Kim Poulsen era began, Tanzania has been slowly being weaned off  Ngassa-dependence syndrome as we move to the modern era of possession football.
A  check on stats would reveal that he is yet to bag a goal or provide an assist in the qualifying campaign bar the preliminary stage. It is not about him, rather the tactical decisions of the coach barely suit his technical aspects. He is still an important player for Taifa Stars as the Zambia and Cecafa matches showed. In the absence of Samatta and Ulimwengu, Tanzania attacks hinges on Ngassa. We badly need need him against  Uganda in the CHAN qualifier next month.